literally “breathed in,” as if the air itself was full

[GoodTaste]

My life in Kharkiv was culturally rich and inspiring—literally “breathed in,” as if the air itself was full. Every day after work as a university instructor and part-time Ph.D. student in chemical engineering and industrial ecology, I hurried to English class or dance class or chose a path home through the city center so I could stop at an art gallery or walk by a theater to note what performance to attend next.

Source: Science

Is the phrase "literally “breathed in,” as if the air itself was full" proper English? "As if the air itself was full" does not conjure up a beautiful image in me (but if it were expressed as "as if fresh air was full" it will do).

What does it mean? If I wrote in Chinese, it would something like "fresh, sweet air were everywhere and you had to 'breathe in' - I am not sure it is good English, but surely I could write it in beautiful Chinese.

 

[emsr2d2]

It's not commonly used but I rather like it. It gives the reader the idea of the environment being so full of culture and inspiration that, whenever the writer inhaled, they breathed in not just oxygen but also that culture and inspiration.
It has nothing to do with the actual air being "fresh/sweet" as in your suggested example.

 

[jutfrank]

The writer is developing her own use of the word 'inspiring', which literally means 'breathing in'. She felt inspired living in the city.